Building Unity and Strength

There is a need to stimulate dialogue at the local, regional, national and international level, “applying the medicine of the arts” to Native communities and the world.

Native peoples need forums for telling their stories, and opportunities to build bridges between Native and non-Native stakeholders and audiences. To that end, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation has awarded local, regional and national grants to organizations which share our vision and have the demonstrated capacity to build a flourishing Native arts and cultural landscape since 2011. Please note, however, that the need for arts and cultures funding throughout Indian Country far surpasses our ability to give. You can help us build our foundation of support by making a gift today.

Thank you for your patience as we update and add to this page-in-progress!

2017 Founders Fund

2016 Founders Fund

2014 Bridge Initiative for Native Arts

In 2014, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation partnered with tribes in Oregon and Washington to offer arts marketing training to individual American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian artists.

2013 Bridge Initiative for Native Arts

In 2013, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation awarded a total of $40,000 to Native programs in California for arts and cultural projects impacting the health and vitality of Native communities with a focus on Native youth.

2013 Regional Collaboration Pilot Program – Year 3

To strengthen the arts and cultures infrastructure, from 2011 to 2013, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation made awards to Native programs and organizations for operational support. After a year of initial awards, the foundation awarded a core cohort of organizations to serve as regional collaborators in this program for two additional years of support.

2012 Artist Networks and Convenings Initiative

In 2012, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation awarded a total of $110,000 to support projects that created alliances between artists, creating opportunities for artists and culture bearers to network and collaborate.

2012 Artist and Community Collaboration Initiative

In 2012, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation awarded a total of $100,000 to projects that allowed Native artists to partner with tribal entities and nonprofit organizations to collaborate on artworks that integrated the community into artistic practice.

2012 Bridge Initiative for Native Arts

In 2012, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation partnered with Meyer Memorial Trust in Portland, Ore., to award $77,500 to support community cultural development projects by Native arts programs and organizations in Oregon and Clark County, Washington.

2012 Regional Collaboration Pilot Program – Year 2

To strengthen regional arts and cultures infrastructure, from 2011 to 2013, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation made awards to Native programs and organizations for operational support. After a year of initial awards, the foundation awarded a core cohort of organizations to serve as regional collaborators in this program for two additional years of support.

2011 Mobilizing the Community Through the Arts

The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation awarded a total of $168,249 in Mobilizing the Community grants to support community arts participation projects, which transmitted arts and cultural practices from one generation to the next, including language and story preservation, cultural mapping, traditional arts apprenticeships and youth programs.

2011 Regional Collaboration Pilot Program – Year 1

To strengthen regional arts and cultures infrastructure, from 2011 to 2013, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation made awards to Native programs and organizations for operational support. After a year of initial awards, the foundation awarded a core cohort of organizations to serve as regional collaborators in this program for two additional years of support.